Gnomes

(707 words)

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Abstract

A gnome (or maxim) is a brief, succinct statement about particular aspects of human life and conduct, based on experience, expressing an opinion widely accepted, and giving advice for or against a course of action.

The Greek word gnṓmē, originally meaning ‘opinion’, is used since the 5th c. BCE (cf. Soph. Aj. 1091, Eur. fr. 362.3 Kannicht, Aristoph. Nub. 924, Xen. Mem. 4.2.9) to denote also a ‘maxim’ or a ‘wise saying’, i.e., a brief, general, succinct statement about particular aspects of human life and c…